INSIDER
Border bill fails Senate test vote as Democrats seek to underscore Republican resistance
Read full article: Border bill fails Senate test vote as Democrats seek to underscore Republican resistanceSenate Republicans are blocking for a second time a bill to clamp down the number of migrants allowed to claim asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
FEMA administrator surveys Oklahoma tornado damage with the state's governor and US senator.
Read full article: FEMA administrator surveys Oklahoma tornado damage with the state's governor and US senator.Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell says “our heart aches for the loss of life” in tornadoes that left four dead and about 100 injured in Oklahoma.
Abandoned by his colleagues after negotiating a border compromise, GOP senator faces backlash alone
Read full article: Abandoned by his colleagues after negotiating a border compromise, GOP senator faces backlash aloneA former youth minister in the Baptist church, Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford is known as one of the most sincere and well-liked members of the Senate.
Border bill supporters combat misleading claims that it would let in more migrants
Read full article: Border bill supporters combat misleading claims that it would let in more migrantsA provision of border security legislation that would give the U.S. a new authority to block migrants from entering the country has become a central line of attack from many Republicans who are opposing the legislation.
The Senate is headed for a crucial test vote on new border policies and Ukraine aid
Read full article: The Senate is headed for a crucial test vote on new border policies and Ukraine aidSenate leaders are attempting to push forward a deal to pair new policies at the southern border with wartime aid for Ukraine and other American allies, but they will have to overcome heavy skepticism from Republicans.
Speaker Johnson demands hard-line policies during a border visit as Ukraine aid hangs in the balance
Read full article: Speaker Johnson demands hard-line policies during a border visit as Ukraine aid hangs in the balanceU.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has led about 60 fellow Republicans in Congress on a visit to the Mexican border.
Biden's push for Ukraine aid stalls in Senate as negotiations over border restrictions drag on
Read full article: Biden's push for Ukraine aid stalls in Senate as negotiations over border restrictions drag onPresident Joe Biden’s push to have Congress replenish wartime aid for Ukraine as part of a deal on border and immigration policy changes will almost certainly drag into next year.
How the White House got involved in the border talks on Capitol Hill -- with Ukraine aid at stake
Read full article: How the White House got involved in the border talks on Capitol Hill -- with Ukraine aid at stakeTop Biden administration officials have ramped up their involvement in the recent border talks on Capitol Hill.
New US aid for Ukraine by year-end seems increasingly out of reach as GOP ties it to border security
Read full article: New US aid for Ukraine by year-end seems increasingly out of reach as GOP ties it to border securityA deal to provide further U.S. assistance to Ukraine by year-end appears to be increasingly out of reach for President Joe Biden.
House Speaker Johnson is insisting on sweeping border security changes in a deal for Ukraine aid
Read full article: House Speaker Johnson is insisting on sweeping border security changes in a deal for Ukraine aidHouse Speaker Mike Johnson tells fellow Republicans that sweeping changes to U.S. border policy will be their “hill to die on” in negotiations over President Joe Biden’s nearly $106 billion package for the wars in Ukraine and Israel and other security needs.
Congress is eying immigration limits as GOP demands border changes in swap for Biden overseas aid
Read full article: Congress is eying immigration limits as GOP demands border changes in swap for Biden overseas aidRepublican demands to stop the flow of migrants at the Mexico-U.S. border have left Congress scrambling.
Senate Ethics admonishes Graham for campaign solicitations
Read full article: Senate Ethics admonishes Graham for campaign solicitationsThe Senate Ethics Committee is admonishing South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham for soliciting campaign contributions inside a federal building after a November 2022 Fox News interview in which he asked viewers to donate to a GOP candidate.
What to watch in primaries in Colorado, Illinois, elsewhere
Read full article: What to watch in primaries in Colorado, Illinois, elsewhereSeven states are set to host primary elections Tuesday as the nation comes to terms with last week’s stunning Supreme Court ruling eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion.
Senator in 2010 deposition: 13-year-olds can consent to sex
Read full article: Senator in 2010 deposition: 13-year-olds can consent to sexU.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma testified as part of a civil case into an alleged sexual assault at the Baptist church camp he oversaw that he believed a 13-year-old can consent to sex.
Senators issue bipartisan call to restore donors' tax breaks
Read full article: Senators issue bipartisan call to restore donors' tax breaksBoth Democratic and Republican lawmakers called Thursday for restoring the charitable deduction for donors who don’t itemize their taxes, a priority for nonprofits nationwide, but a key senator was noncommittal on the question of whether to support legislation designed to boost payout from foundations and donor-advised funds.
As Biden's infrastructure plan advances, can GOP get to yes?
Read full article: As Biden's infrastructure plan advances, can GOP get to yes?For President Joe Biden and the senators laboring over a nearly $1 trillion infrastructure package, there’s just one question left: Can enough Republicans get to yes.
Lawmakers frustrated over delay in Census redistricting data
Read full article: Lawmakers frustrated over delay in Census redistricting dataFILE - This March 19, 2020, file photo, shows a 2020 census letter mailed to a U.S. resident. At a hearing of the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee, Republican lawmakers told acting Census Bureau director Ron Jarmin that the delay was upending their states' redistricting plans. The state of Alabama also has sued the Census Bureau in an effort to force it to release the redistricting data early. “That meant some of the work we would have started for the redistricting data was set aside for later. The acting Census Bureau director also said the cost of executing the 2020 census would be under its $15.6 billion budget.
By slimmest of margins, Senate takes up $1.9T relief bill
Read full article: By slimmest of margins, Senate takes up $1.9T relief billIt’s widely expected the Senate will approve the bill and the House will whisk it to Biden for his signature by mid-March, handing him a crucial early legislative victory. “We are not going to be timid in the face of a great challenge," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Biden and Senate leaders had agreed Wednesday to retain the $400 weekly jobless payments included in the version of the relief bill the House approved Saturday. In another bargain that satisfied moderates, Biden and Senate Democrats agreed Wednesday to tighten eligibility for the direct checks to individuals. AdAs soon as the Senate began considering the bill, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., forced the chamber's clerks to begin reading the entire 628-page measure aloud.
Rioters acted on Trump’s ‘order,’ Democrats say in trial
Read full article: Rioters acted on Trump’s ‘order,’ Democrats say in trialEven out of office, Democrats warned, Trump could whip up a mob of followers for similar damage. Even out of the White House, the former president holds influence over large swaths of voters. Rioters roamed the halls chanting, “Hang Mike Pence,” and eerily singing out, “Where are you, Nancy?” in search of Pelosi. The first president to face an impeachment trial after leaving office, Trump is also the first to be twice impeached. His lawyers say he cannot be convicted because he is already gone from the White House.
‘Distressing and emotional’: Senators relive horror of riot
Read full article: ‘Distressing and emotional’: Senators relive horror of riotReporters vie for a response from Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, as Senators take a dinner break while arguments continue in former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. Scott Applewhite)WASHINGTON – For 90 tense minutes, members of the Senate relived the horror. The rioters were “58 steps” from senators at one point, impeachment manager Eric Swalwell told them. Senators were silent afterward, some sitting quietly and alone, as if to process it all. He walked out of the room in the middle of the presentation, as impeachment manager Stacey Plaskett detailed the threats to Pence’s life.
White House budget chief nominee apologizes for past tweets
Read full article: White House budget chief nominee apologizes for past tweetsNeera Tanden also admitted to spending “many months” removing past Twitter posts, saying, “I deleted tweets because I regretted them." He said that included Tanden calling Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton "a fraud” and tweeting that “vampires have more heart” than Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford said Tanden had tweeted more over the past four years than even Trump did. Still, Senate discussion of Tanden's nomination is likely to center more on her past tweets than her budget priorities. Cotton has said they were “filled with hate.” Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn suggested previously that she'd face “certainly a problematic path” to nomination.
Where Biden stood, reminders of a failed insurrection
Read full article: Where Biden stood, reminders of a failed insurrectionPresident-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill, walk out for the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. On the very spot where President Joe Biden delivered his inaugural address, an insurrectionist mob had tried — and failed — to overturn his election just two weeks before. The Associated Press has the privilege of a seat on the inaugural platform every four years in a tradition dating as far back as anyone can remember. It ensured a quick pace and gave Biden helpful hints such as a reminder to “build" to the finish. Biden had just a handful of small verbal stumbles and couldn’t resist adding an unscripted “folks” — a Biden trademark — toward the end.
Somber Senate unites to reject election challenges
Read full article: Somber Senate unites to reject election challengesTennessee's GOP senators abandoned the effort, as did Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., who lost her runoff election Tuesday, helping to deliver control of the Senate to Democrats. Wisconsin's GOP Sen. Ron Johnson dropped out, as did James Lankford, R-Okla., a promising younger Republican who raised eyebrows when initially supporting the effort. We will not bow to lawlessness or intimidation," said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “We are back at our posts. As senators debated, Trump took it on the chin from longtime critics like Mitt Romney, R-Utah. Enough is enough.”Romney, the party's 2012 nominee, reminded his colleagues that he knows how unpleasant it is to lose a presidential election, drawing hearty laughter.
WATCH LIVE: Both houses of Congress recessed as protesters enter US Capitol
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Both houses of Congress recessed as protesters enter US CapitolA woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol, and Washington’s mayor instituted an evening curfew in an attempt to contain the violence. Together, the protests and the GOP election objections amounted to an almost unthinkable challenge to American democracy and exposed the depths of the divisions that have coursed through the country during Trump’s four years in office. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Congress would show the world “what America is made of" with the outcome. Some House lawmakers tweeted they were sheltering in place in their offices. As darkness fell, law enforcement officers worked their way toward the protesters, using percussion grenades to clear the area around the Capitol.
Trump says he’ll ‘fight like hell’ to hold on to presidency
Read full article: Trump says he’ll ‘fight like hell’ to hold on to presidencyEleven Republican senators saying they will not be voting Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, to confirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory include Wyoming's newly sworn in Sen. Cynthia Lummis, a Cheyenne-area rancher and former congresswoman. It is unclear just what the Republican senators will do, but the process could drag into the night as the two chambers will have to consider each objection individually. He is under growing pressure from Trump and others to tip the results in Trump’s favor. And more than a dozen Republican senators have said they will not support the effort. The commission remains his focus, he has said, not to undo the election results, even though that would be the practical effect of a successful objection.
Republicans condemn ‘scheme’ to undo election for Trump
Read full article: Republicans condemn ‘scheme’ to undo election for TrumpThough he got nothing but cheers Monday night, Trump's attempt to overturn the presidential election i s splitting the Republican Party. Trump repeated numerous times his claims of election fraud, which have been rejected by election officials — Republican as well as Democratic in state after state — and courts up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Two current Republican senators, Rob Portman of Ohio and Mike Lee of Utah, joined the growing number who now oppose the legislators' challenge. Larry Hogan of Maryland; Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the third-ranking House GOP leader; and former House Speaker Paul Ryan — have criticized the GOP efforts to overturn the election. Cruz's coalition of 11 Republican senators vows to reject the Electoral College tallies unless Congress launches a commission to immediately conduct an audit of the election results.
Republicans condemn ‘scheme’ to undo election for Trump
Read full article: Republicans condemn ‘scheme’ to undo election for TrumpOf the more than 50 lawsuits the president and his allies have filed challenging election results, nearly all have been dismissed or dropped. Other prominent former officials also criticized the ongoing attack on election results. Cruz's coalition of 11 Republican senators vows to reject the Electoral College tallies unless Congress launches a commission to immediately conduct an audit of the election results. The convening of the joint session to count the Electoral College votes has faced objections before. States choose their own election officials and draft their election laws.
More GOP lawmakers enlist in Trump effort to undo Biden win
Read full article: More GOP lawmakers enlist in Trump effort to undo Biden winSen. Ted Cruz of Texas on Saturday announced a coalition of 11 senators and senators-elect who have been enlisted for Trump’s effort. But their challenges, and those from House Republicans, represent the most sweeping effort to undo a presidential election outcome since the Civil War. said the Republican effort to create a federal commission “to supersede state certifications" is wrong. On the other side of the Republican divide, several senators spoke out Saturday against Cruz and Hawley's effort. McConnell had previously warned GOP senators not to participate in raising objections, saying it would be a terrible vote for colleagues.
A few cracks but no big GOP break with Trump on Biden's win
Read full article: A few cracks but no big GOP break with Trump on Biden's winThe GOP governor acknowledged Thursday that Biden's lead is getting "bigger and bigger by the day” and Trump’s legal options are dissipating. Many Trump allies in Washington see no path to a Trump victory but remain wary of crossing the outgoing Republican president — or his supporters — especially with control of the Senate still uncertain. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Thursday that Biden doesn’t need intelligence briefings because Trump might remain president in the new year. Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter, citing the significant number of Democrats who doubted the legitimacy of Trump's 2016 election victory. “Joe Biden is the president-elect.”George W. Bush, the only living former Republican president, acknowledged Biden's victory on Sunday.
A few cracks but no big GOP break with Trump on Biden's win
Read full article: A few cracks but no big GOP break with Trump on Biden's winThe GOP governor acknowledged that Biden's lead is getting "bigger and bigger by the day” and Trump’s legal options are dissipating. Many Trump allies in Washington see no path to a Trump victory but remain wary of crossing the outgoing Republican president — or his supporters — especially with control of the Senate still uncertain. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Thursday that Biden doesn’t need intelligence briefings because Trump might remain president in the new year. Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter, citing the significant number of Democrats who doubted the legitimacy of Trump's 2016 election victory. “Joe Biden is the president-elect.”George W. Bush, the only living former Republican president, acknowledged Biden's victory on Sunday.
Biden moves forward without help from Trump's intel team
Read full article: Biden moves forward without help from Trump's intel teamAs he contests this year's election results, Trump has not authorized President-elect Joe Biden to lay eyes on the brief. National security and intelligence experts hope Trump changes his mind, citing the need for an incoming president to be fully prepared to confront any national security issues on Day One. That's the type of information that might be in the PDB, a daily summary of high-level, classified information and analysis on national security issues that's been offered to presidents since 1946. It is coordinated and delivered by the Office of the National Intelligence Director with input from the CIA and other agencies. Biden is missing out on all counts: More than a week into his transition, Biden doesn't have access to the PDB, the agencies or government resources to help him get ready to take charge.
Lafayette Square could decide Trump's legacy and election
Read full article: Lafayette Square could decide Trump's legacy and electionAnd now Lafayette Square. Trump had briefly been forced to take shelter in the emergency White House bunker and flames had risen from St. Johns Church across from the executive mansion. Lafayette Square was ordered to be cleared. The White House quickly produced a slick ad celebrating the triumph. Some observers believe Trump may be able to cast aside Lafayette Square too.
Trump moved Tulsa rally date after learning about Juneteenth
Read full article: Trump moved Tulsa rally date after learning about JuneteenthTrump had scheduled the rally for June 19, known as Juneteenth because it marks the end of slavery in the United States. He didn't see it as disrespectful to be able to do it on Juneteenth, Lankford said. Other people interpreted it differently and so he moved the rally date.Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., said he was thankful that Trump rescheduled the rally. But Trump's campaign was aware, according to two campaign officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose internal discussions. Although selecting June 19 was not meant to be incendiary, some pushback was expected, the Trump campaign officials said.
Quickly, carefully, GOP senators consider policing changes
Read full article: Quickly, carefully, GOP senators consider policing changesSen. Rand Paul wants to stop sending surplus U.S. military equipment to local law enforcement. And GOP Sen. Mitt Romney is trying to assemble a bipartisan package of bills in response to police violence. I think we should all be optimistic right now," Scott, the only black GOP senator, told reporters at the Capitol. Lawmakers are watching as demonstrations erupt in all corners of the country, from the biggest cities to the smallest towns, and acknowledging the arrival of a mass movement for law enforcement changes as politically impossible to ignore. Obviously this is a national awakening, GOP Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia said Tuesday on CNBC.
Trump photo op, talk of military force amp up GOP challenge
Read full article: Trump photo op, talk of military force amp up GOP challengeBut when Trump was caught bragging of sexual assault and seeking political help from Ukraine, the country was relatively comfortable. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, told reporters Tuesday when asked whether Trump's use of force against peaceful protesters was the right thing to do. Even now, as they squirm about the president's suggestion of using the military to enforce the law, most Republicans aren't breaking with Trump. Defense Secretary Mike Esper, who allowed himself to be squarely at the center of Trump's photo op at St. Johns, scrambled. As of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said during her midday briefing.
Trump photo op, talk of military force amp up GOP challenge
Read full article: Trump photo op, talk of military force amp up GOP challengeBut when Trump was caught bragging of sexual assault and seeking political help from Ukraine, the country was relatively comfortable. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, told reporters Tuesday when asked whether Trump's use of force against peaceful protesters was the right thing to do. Even now, as they squirm about the president's suggestion of using the military to enforce the law, most Republicans aren't breaking with Trump. Defense Secretary Mike Esper, who allowed himself to be squarely at the center of Trump's photo op at St. Johns, scrambled. As of right now, Secretary Esper is still Secretary Esper, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said during her midday briefing.